Belgians are using social media to help those affected by the deadly attacks that rocked Brussels Tuesday.
The Belgian capital is reeling after bombings at Zaventem Airport and the metro station in Maelbeek left at least 26 people dead. Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level, diverting planes and trains and ordering people to stay where they were.
Belgians quickly harnessed social media to help those affected by the attacks, using the hashtag #IkWilHelpen, “I will help” in Flemish. The hashtag #Brusselslift is also being used, as people offer transport to stranded travelers. The Twitter account @BrusselsLift is connecting people who need to travel with drivers who have empty seats.
If someone needs a ride from Brussels to Antwerp/Turnhout let me know! #ikwilhelpen
— Herwig Mertens (@Rhandalf) March 22, 2016
If you’re a driver and want to help, tweet your trip and time with #brusselslift
— Brussels Lift (@BrusselsLift) March 22, 2016
— #solidarity #STIB #MIVB #Brussels
Related: Parisians harness #PorteOuverte hashtag to help people affected by terror attacks
Similar to last year’s Paris terror attacks, the hashtag #PorteOuverte, “Open Door” in French, is also being used to offer shelter to people affected by the attacks.
#OpenHouse #PorteOuverte #ikwilhelpen #Brussels I have space in EVERE (in between the airport and the city center)
— Vince Bulté (@VINCEBULTE) March 22, 2016
Stranded in #Brussels? Ping me if you need a place to stay, close to Grand Place. #PorteOuverte #OpenHouse #OpenHuis
— Ahmed Ej (@twtAhmed) March 22, 2016
Facebook also activated its Safety Check feature following the Brussels terror attacks. Designed for times of disaster or crisis, Safety Check lets users in a specific area notify friends and family that they are safe. Users can also check on others in the affected area and mark friends as safe. The social network activated Safety Check following last year’s Paris attacks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.